Closure for aging still wine in bottle

ABSTRACT

A closure for a bottle containing still wine, comprising a plastic cap having a central opening which exposes the upper portion of a cork rigidly secured to the cap; the cork permitting the still wine in the bottle to breathe sufficiently for aging of the particular wine. The configuration of the opening functions as a guide for a corkscrew. The cap has an inner ring which is resiliently expansible for snugly receiving the cork which is also secured to the cap by adhesive means, an outer ring in the cap secured concentrically to the inner ring for bearing against the lip of the wine bottle. The inner ring may be provided with dimples or flanges to augment the securing relationship of the cap to the cork. The central opening may be large enough to receive and guide the corkscrew as a whole, or one or several smaller openings may be provided to receive and guide the spiralshaped shaft of the corkscrew. A cap threaded on the neck of the bottle, the cap having a cork secured to its underside and being provided on its top with an opening or plurality of openings so that the cork can breathe, the cork being in a state of compression and of a thickness adapted for aging the particular wine in the bottle. An optical optional plastic insert between the cap and cork retards the diffusion of atmospheric gases into and out of the wine bottle.

United States Patent Walter S. Taylor Bully l-Iill RD. 2, Hammondsport,NY.

[72] Inventor 14840 [21 Appl. No. 834,480 [22] Filed June 18, 1969 [45]Patented Feb. 2, 1971 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No.709,990, Mar. 4, 1968, now abandoned.

[54] CLOSURE FOR AGING STILL WINE [N BOTTLE ABSTRACT: A closure for abottle containing still wine, comprising a plastic cap having a centralopening which exposes the upper portion of a cork rigidly secured to thecap; the cork permitting the still wine in the bottle to breathesufficiently for aging of the particular wine. The configuration of theopening functions as a guide for a corkscrew. The cap has an inner ringwhich is resiliently expansible for snugly receiving the cork which isalso secured to the cap by adhesive means, an outer ring in the capsecured concentrically to the inner ring for bearing against the lip ofthe wine bottle. The inner ring may be provided with dimples or flangesto augment the securing relationship of the cap to the cork. The centralopening may be large enough to receive and guide the corkscrew as awhole, or one or several smaller openings may be provided to receive andguide the spiral-shaped shaft of the corkscrew.

A cap threaded on the neck of the bottle, the cap having a cork securedto. its underside and being provided on its top with an opening orplurality of openings so that the cork can breathe, the cork being in astate of compression and of a thigkness adapted for aging the particularwine in the bottle. An optional plastic insert between the cap and corkretards the difiusion of atmospheric gases into and out of the winebottle.

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INVENTOR PATENTEUFEB 2m 3559834 SHEET 3 BF 3 mvmwnn WALTER S TAYLORCLOSURE FOR AGING STILL WINE IN BOTTLE CROSS- REFERENCES TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No.709,990 filed Mar. 4, I968 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention in this case relates to a corkfor wine bottles which incorporates the advantages of corks provided forthis purpose but eliminates or ameliorates many of the disadvantages ofknown closure means of the type involved.

For many years, fine table wines and the like have been stored for agingin bottles which have conventional cork closures. Such closures havebeen considered superior to other types by many, particularly by wineconnoisseurs, since corks provide an effective liquid seal againstleakage of wine from the bottle and also permits the wine to breathe.That is to say, it is considered that there is a diffusion of someoxygen through the cork into the wine bottle. Although there may bedifferences of opinion among wine makers as to the extent of suchdiffusion or of its benefit to wine in the bottle, it is a fact thatmany wine connoisseurs consider bottles containing still wines should becorked in preference to other closure means such as a screw-on metallictop. It is also recognized that certain wines do improve with aging. Theperiod of aging depends on the type of wine. For certain roses, sixmonths may be sufficient. Certain sherries, however, may be aged as longas fifteen years. Closures made of cork, however, present disadvantagesin that they are difficult to remove and, when removed to replace.Corkscrews for removing corks from wine are generally standardizedinsofar as the helical portion is concerned, and although effective inthe hands of an expert, the practical difficulties encountered inremoving and replacement of corks is a discouragement to manypurchasers. Thus, the desirability of a cork closure to wineconnoisseurs on the one hand and the disadvantages of such closures onthe other, create a dilemma for the wine maker whereby no matter whattype of known closures he utilizes for good still wines, adiscouragement exists for a significant portion of potential purchasers.Moreover, if the market for a fine wine is unduly limited, economicconsiderations may prohibit its production altogether or significantlyincrease the cost of production for a given quantity of such wine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention in this case comprises a capwhich has affixed to it the top of a cylindrical cork. The cork iscemented within an expansible ring depending from the cap which tightlyembraces the cork. The cap has a central opening which exposes the topof the cork and serves a double function of permitting the cork tobreathe and to guide a corkscrew correctly into the cork. The cap andthe cork, however, are sufliciently afiixed together so that thepurchaser can remove the cork without the intervention of a corkscrew ifhe so desires. Although the preferable resiliently expansible ringtogether with the intervening adhesive material provides a sufficientconnection of the cork to the cap, the connection may be augmented bydimples or flanges disposed about the expansible rim. When such dimplesor flanges are provided, it is preferred that they present smoothcontours so that breakage of the surface of the cork by the dimple isavoided.

However, sharp wedgelike flanges may be used, particularly with metalcaps having tongues which may be conveniently indented to receive thecork by die means.

In a modification of the invention, a metallic cap with an opening inthe cap screws on threads provided on the neck of the bottle. A cordhaving a thickness sufficient for the aging period of the wine in thebottle is preferably compressed within the cap and further compressedbetween the cap and the lip of the bottle. Triangular tongues areindented in the side or 'top of the cap to secure the cork and provideadditional openings for breathing. Part of the cork may be receivedunder compression in-the neck of the bottle.

In a further modification of the invention, a plurality of smallorifices are provided in the cap and optionally a thin porous plasticinsert is disposed between the cap and the cork. The insert may bepolyethylene which is less porous than the cork although stillsufficiently porous to permit a slow passage of gaseous fluid into andout of the wine bottle. The effect is similar to that afforded by alonger or more compressed cork. Knurlling is provided on the inside andoutside of the closure to improve purchase both as between a person'sfingers and the cap and between the cap and the cork which has beenexpanded into the interior knurlling of the cap.

The closure which is provided by the instant invention satisfies theconnoisseur in that it can breathe to admit oxygen to the wine bottlewhile still providing a sufficient seal so that the wine does not becomeflat or evaporate. At the same time, the individual who desires finewines but is discouraged by the disadvantages attending known corkclosures is provided with effective stoppers which can be removed withor without a corkscrew and wherein guidance means is provided for thecorkscrew when it is utilized.

The object of this invention constitutes the realization of an effectiveand practical closure for still wine which meets the problems andpresents the advantages discussed above. However, other objects,adaptabilities and capabilities will appear as the descriptionprogresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows a perspective view of aclosure in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the cap of the closure taken on lines II-IIof FIG. 3 which shows the underside of the cap;

FIGS. 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12 are bottom views of modifications of the caps;

FIGS. 5, 7, 9, I1 and 13 are cross-sectional views of the modificationsshown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, l0 and 12, taken on lines V-V, VII-VII, lX-IX,Xl-Xl and XIII-XIII of such FIGS. respectively;

FIGS. 14 and '15 are cross-sectional views of further modificationswhere the cap screws on the bottle; and

FIG. 16 is a top view and FIGS. 17 and 18 are cross-sectional viewstaken on lines XVII-XVII and XVIII-XVIII, respectively, of a stillfurther modification of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. I, itwill be seen that the closure of the invention constitutes a cap 10 anda cork l l. The cork I1 is composed of natural corkwood of the cork oaktree, Quercus suber, and is of a type conventionally used as corks forstill wine; that is, it is clear slow-grown sound wood from areasadjacent the Mediterranean Sea. The cap 10 may be made of any suitableplastic such as, for example, bakelite.

The cap 10 has an inner ring portion 12 which includes a gap 14 wherebythe inner ring portion 12 is slightly resilient. The cap 10 alsoincludes an outer ring portion 15 which includes a gripping surface 16.The central opening 17 is threeeighths inch in diameter and includes abeveled surface 20 around its periphery. Since the standard corkscrewhas an overall diameter slightly less than three-eights inch, thecentral opening 17 receives the corkscrew in the exposed portion 21 ofthe cork and acts as a guide for same as it is screwed into the corkl 1. The outer ring portion 15 and the inner ring portion 12 have aplurality of connections 22. As will be seen best in FIG. 2, the cork 11is snugly received by the inner ring portion 12 of cap 10 and thisconnection is made secure by gluing it to the interior of the inner ringportion 12 and the overlapping upper portion of the cap 10 where itcontacts the cork 11. When the cork II is fitted in the bottle and alsoin ring portion 12, it is reduced up to one-half of its diameter. Afterthe cork has been in the bottle for an extended aging period, it willnot expand to its original diameter, although it will, however, expandsomewhat. For this reason, the leading edge includes a beveled portion23 so that the cork 11 can be again inserted into the bottle. Wax orparaffin may be applied to this area to assist the insertion of cork 11into the bottle.

FIGS. 4-7 show additional means for augmenting the connection betweenthe cork 11 and the cap 10. Thus, in FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be notedthat cap a includes an inner ring portion 120 having three dimples 23disposed about the lower portion thereof. The dimples 23 have a smoothcontour and conform more or less to a wedge with a large end up topermit easy insertion of a cork 11 into the inner ring portion 12a butto restrict its withdrawal. The smooth contour is desirable to preventtearing of the cork 11 whereby it may be weakened and have an increasedtendency to part on being twisted. Except as noted, the cap 10a isidentical to the cap 10 and also is affixed to the cork 11 by anadhesive or other appropriate glue means.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a cap 10b having an inner ring 12b with the fourflanges 24 extending therefrom. The flanges 24 are of a smooth contourand assist in preventing a cork secured within the inner ring portion12b from tearing relative to the cap 10b. Except for the flanges 24, thecap 10b is identical to the cap 10 previously described. If desired,flanges 24 and dimples 23 can be combined in a single cap. The caps 10aand 10!; have their chief advantage in combination with longer thannormal corks or where the fit between the cork and the neck of thebottle receiving the cork is substantially tighter than average.

v through which the cork 42 can breathe during the aging The cap 10c isidentical to the cap 10 except that instead of a single central opening17 it has a plurality of smaller openings 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25c and25f which are disposed around a small central opening 26. The openings25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25c and 25f are shaped to receive the helicallyshaped shaft, per se, of a corkscrew whereby it is guided separatelyinto the underlying cork. The openings are of varying sizes anddistances from the central opening 26 to accommodate different sizes ofcorkscrews. They have beveled surfaces of about 20 relative to the topof the cork where they receive a corkscrew, such pitch being more orless standard for a corkscrew, and the shorter widths of these openingsare between about one-eighth and one-sixteenth inch so that almost allcommercially popular types of corkscrews may be received and guidedthrough an appropriate opening.

Referring to the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and l l, the cap 30,preferably plastic, includes an upwardly extending rim flange 31 forreceiving and guiding a corkscrew into the cork 32 through the opening34. The cork 32 is received in a neck 35 of the bottle containing wineand is in a state of compression of between about 20 and 50 percent ofits original diamter-the amount of compression depending upon the typeof wine and the period of aging. In general, the longer the agingperiod, the more the cork is compressed. It will be noted that thebottom of the cap 30 includes a plurality of inwardly extending teeth36. The cork 32 is compressed when it is extended into the bottom of cap30 and extends naturally within the teeth 36 whereby a secure grippingsurface is provided. In addition, an adhesive is recommended tostrengthen the grasp of cap 30 on the cork 32. A space 37 is provided toaccommodate different amounts of expansion within cap 30 resulting fromthe various degrees of compression of cork 32 in the neck 35.

The cap 40 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is made of metal such as aluminum,stainless steel or to other appropriate noncorrosive metal instead ofplastic as shown in the previously described embodiments. The metal isformed into a flange 41 which exposes the cork 42 through the opening44. The cork 42 is snugly received in a neck 45 of the wine bottle in amanner as described with reference to cork 32 in FIGS. 10 and l l. Aplurality of tongues 46 are stamped in the underside of cap 40 to extendupwardly into its interior as shown in the drawings. This structureserves the double purpose of grasping the upper part of the cork 42which is expanded within the interior of the cap 40 and providingadditional openings 48 process of the wine. The space 47 may be greateror smaller depending upon the original compression of the cork 42 beforeit is inserted within the cap 40 and its subsequent expansion therein.If desired, opening 44 can be somewhat broader than shown whereby thecork 42 can be inserted into the neck 45 ha compressed state thereafterto expand in the neck 42 and the cap 40 when the confining mechanism iswithdrawn.

FIGS. 14 and 1S disclose modifications wherein the caps 50 and 60 arethreadably received by the necks and 65 of the wine bottles concerned.The cork 52 is compressed within the cap 50 and is further compressedwhen the cap 50 is firmly received on the neck 55. The degree ofcompression and the thickness of the cork 52 are governed primarily bythe necessary period of aging for the wine involved. Breathing will takeplace through the opening 54 surrounded by the flange 51 and alsothrough the openings 58 made by pressing the triangular tongues 56 intothe cap 50 which assist in gripping the cork 52. The embodiment shown inFIG. 14 is intended chiefly for use with wines such as rose wines whichrequire a relatively short aging period. For longer periods of aging,the screw-on cap 60 of FIG. 15 is preferred which has a flange 61surrounding an opening 64 exposing portion of cork 62, and openings 68made by pressing downward extending metal tongues, 66 which assist ingrasping the cork 62 within the cap 60. The breathing of the wine bottletakes place through the openings 64 and 68, the cork 62 being compressedwithin the cap 60 and also within the neck 65 of the wine bottle.Further compression of the cork 62 is caused by screwing the cap 60tightly on the neck 65. In each modification, adhesive may be employedfor securing the cap to the cork.

In FIGS. 16-18, a further embodiment is disclosed which is particularlyadaptable for wines which require comparatively long aging periods. Thecap 70, which is a screw-on type, is composed of an appropriatenoncorrosive metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The cork 72 issnugly received in a neck 75 of the wine bottle in a manner as describedwith reference to previous FIGS. Between the top of cork 72 and cap is aplastic insert 71 of polyethylene or the like. The cap 70 contains aplurality of apertures 74 which expose insert 71 to the atmosphere.Insert 71 is less porous than cork 72, but nevertheless is sufficientlyporous to permit the diffusion of oxygen and other gaseous fluids intoand out of the wine bottle for aging the wine. Insert 71 is optional,but provides the advantage of an additional seal against the passage ofunwanted elements and permits a reduction in the compression or lengthof the cork, or both, over what would otherwise be considered optimumfor the wine involved. The gripping periphery 76 of cap 70 is knurled,that is, undulated, both inside and out. The interior knurling receivescork 72, which is expanded therein so as to increase the purchasebetween the cork 72 and cap 70 which is of importance in long-agedwines, so that the cork 72 turns with cap 70 when same is removed fromthe bottle. U k

In all embodiments, it will be appreciated that the grain of thecorkwood is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cork. Otherwise,leakage of wine from the bottle and excessive leakage of gas through thecork might ensue. In all cases (except FIG. 14) the cork is undercompression within the neck of the bottle. The degreeof compression isgenerally between about 20 and 50 percent of the original diameter ofthe cork, but is preferably between 30 and 40 percent for mostapplications. For a given cork size, the degree of compression isgreater for longer periods of aging.

Iclaim:

1. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a corkdisposed in the neck of said bottle sealing the wine therein, theportion of said cork within the neck of said bottle being compressed tobetween 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter, a cap secured to theportion of said cork which extends above the neck of said bottle, saidcap defining an inwardly open ring-shape space at its periphery, saidspace being sufficiently large relative to said neck accommodatingdifferent selected degrees of expansion of said corks of differentdiameters in said space. said cap having an opening therein exposing aportion of said cork to the atmosphere said cork having a perviousnessin its compressed state for a slow diffusion of oxygen into said bottlewhereby said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wineduring a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

2. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said corkextends at least one inch into the neck of said bottle.

3. For a combination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cap has aplurality of openings, tongues extending normally from said openingsinto the expanded portion of said cork in said space whereby said corkbreathes through said openings and said tongues secure said cork fromturning in said cap.

4. For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein,

of said cork.

7. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closurewhich comprises a cork and amp receiving said cork, said bottle havingthe outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap beingcorrespondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck, said corkbeing compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap havingaperture means exposing a portion of said cork, substantially all ofsaid cork in said cap being a sufficiently compressed and havingsufi'icient thickness permitting a slow diffusion of oxygen through saidaperture means and said cork into said bottle to take place and saidoxygen chemically reacting with substances in said wine during apredetermined aging period to improve its flavor.

8. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said cap has aplurality of openings and tongues extending normally therefrom into saidcork, said cork permitting said wine to breathe through said openingsand said tongues securing said cork from turning in said cap.

9. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, wherein said corkincludes a portion thereof extending into said neck, said portion beingunder compression in said neck.

10. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said portionof the cork is reduced between 30 and 40 percent of its originaldiameter.

11. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said aperturemeans comprises a plurality of apertures.

12. For a combination in accordance with claim 11, wherein the peripheryof said cap is undulated interiorly and exteriorly, said cork beingreceived between said undulations to improve its purchase by said cap.

13. For a combination in accordance with claim 9, wherein an insert isdisposed between said aperture means and said cork, said insert meansbeing porous.

14. For a combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closurewhich comprises a cork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle havingthe outer upper part of its neck threaded, said cap beingcorrespondingly threaded and threadably secured on said neck wherebysaid cork is compressed between said neck and said cap, said cap havingaperture means exposing a portion of said cork, said cork including aportion extending into said neck and being sufficiently compressed insaid cap and having sufficient thickness wherein a slow diffusion ofoxygen through said aperture means and said cork into said bottle takesplace and said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wineduring a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor, an insertdisposed between said cork and said aperture means, said insert beingporous but less porous than said cork whereby the diffusion of oxygeninto said bottle is substantially retarded by said insert.

1. For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a corkdisposed in the neck of said bottle sealing the wine therein, theportion of said cork within the neck of said bottle being compressed tobetween 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter, a cap secured to theportion of said cork which extends above the neck of said bottle, saidcap defining an inwardly open ring-shape space at its periphery, saidspace being sufficiently large relative to said neck accommodatingdifferent selected degrees of expansion of said corks of differentdiameters in said space, said cap having an opening therein exposing aportion of said cork to the atmosphere, said cork having a perviousnessin its compressed state for a slow diffusion of oxygen into said bottlewhereby said oxygen chemically reacts with substances in said wineduring a predetermined aging period to improve its flavor.
 2. For acombination in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cork extends atleast one inch into the neck of said bottle.
 3. For a combination inaccordance with claim 1, wherein said cap has a plurality of openings,tongues extending normally from said openings into the expanded portionof said cork in said space whereby said cork breathes through saidopenings and said tongues secure said cork from turning in said cap. 4.For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein said openings arein the lower portion of said cap and said tongues extend upwardlytherefrom.
 5. For a combination in accordance with claim 3, wherein saidopenings are in the upper portion of said cap and said tongues extenddownwardly therefrom.
 6. For a combination in accordance with claim 1,wherein said cap has a plurality of said openings, the edge of each ofsaid openings being beveled for receiving and guiding a corkscrew incontact therewith along the central longitudinal axis of said cork. 7.For combination with a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure whichcomprises a cork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle having theouter upper part of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondinglythreaded and threadably secured on said neck, said cork being compressedbetween said neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposinga portion of said cork, substantially all of said cork in said cap beingsufficiently compressed and having sufficient thickness permitting aslow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture means and said cork intosaid bottle to take place and said oxygen chemically reacting withsubstances in said wine during a predetermined aging period to improveits flavor.
 8. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, whereinsaid cap has a plurality of openings and tongues extending normallytherefrom into said cork, said cork permitting said wine to breathethrough said openings and said tongues securing said cork from turningin said cap.
 9. For a combination in accordance with claim 7, whereinsaid cork includes a portion thereof extending into said neck, saidportion being under compression in said neck.
 10. For a combination inaccordance with claim 9, wherein said portion of the cork is reducedbetween 30 and 40 percent of its original diameter.
 11. For acombination in accordance with claim 9, wherein said aperture meanscomprises a plurality of apertures.
 12. For a combination in accordancewith claim 11, wherein the periphery of said cap is undulated interiorlyand exteriorly, said cork being received between said undulations toimprove its purchase by said cap.
 13. For a combination in accordancewith claim 9, wherein an insert is disposed between said aperture meansand said cork, said insert means being porous.
 14. For a combinationwith a wine bottle for aging still wine, a closure which comprises acork and a cap receiving said cork, said bottle having the outer upperpart of its neck threaded, said cap being correspondingly threaded andthreadably secured on said neck whereby said cork is compressed betweensaid neck and said cap, said cap having aperture means exposing aportion of said cork, said cork including a portion extending into saidneck and being sufficiently compressed in said cap and having sufficientthickness wherein a slow diffusion of oxygen through said aperture meansand said cork into said bottle takes place and said oxygen chemicallyreacts with substances in said wine during a predetermined aging periodto improve its flavor, an insert disposed between said cork and saidaperture means, said insert being porous but less porous than said corkwhereby the diffusion of oxygen into said bottle is substantiallyretarded by said insert.